The Journey of Chongzi Episode 18 Recap
> The Journey of Chongzi Recap
Luo Yinfan brought Chong Zi to Panhai Town, where they enjoyed pastries and wine at Xichun Restaurant. As Chong Zi observed her surroundings, she felt a vague sense of familiarity, though she couldn't recall ever being there. A waiter shared that the restaurant had been running smoothly for a long time, blessed by a Sage whom they wished to repay. Luo Yinfan ordered two pots of wine, remarking that it was good to experience mortal life.
Chong Zi, despite promising to stay sober, quickly became tipsy. Luo Yinfan gently cradled her face, noting that her alcohol tolerance was even worse than before. In her drunken haze, Chong Zi pleaded with her master not to abandon her like her father had. Luo Yinfan solemnly promised he would never leave her alone. Later, Chong Zi found an old, unused kitchen, cleaned it, and lovingly prepared some cakes for Luo Yinfan.
He found them delicious and, when asked to name them, simply called them "Overwhelming Cakes." Chong Zi was a little underwhelmed by the plain name but accepted it, happy that her master enjoyed them. Qin Ke soon arrived at Chonghua Palace to play chess with Luo Yinfan. During their game, Qin Ke challenged Luo Yinfan, asking why he had taken a new disciple and named her Chong Zi. Luo Yinfan merely pointed out that Qin Ke had lost the game.
Qin Ke expressed his frustration, admitting he couldn't beat Luo Yinfan at chess or understand his thoughts, and felt that everything was unfair to the new girl. Luo Yinfan curtly told him that his choice of disciple was none of Qin Ke's business. Qin Ke pressed on, wondering what would happen if Chong Zi learned the truth. Luo Yinfan dismissed him, stating that Qin Ke was too talkative and that their chess game was pointless.
After Qin Ke left, Chong Zi approached Luo Yinfan with a question that had been weighing on her. She asked why he, as the Nanhua Sage, had chosen to take in an ordinary person like her, who seemed to be good at nothing, and why he treated her so exceptionally well. Luo Yinfan confessed he didn't quite understand it himself.
He then changed the subject, stating that she had been in Nanhua Sect for some days and it was time for her to have her own magic weapon. He instructed her to seek out Mu Yu the next day to find a suitable one, promising to teach her new spells. Chong Zi was thrilled at the prospect. The next day, Mu Yu led Chong Zi to the armory, telling her she could choose any weapon she liked.
He explained the differences between Spell Immortals and Sword Immortals, and introduced her to the famed weapons of other Sages: Mofeng, the left sword of Protector Sage Luo Yinfan; Futu Jie, the tower-like sword of Councilor Sage; and the Book of Secrets of Sage Tianji. When Chong Zi asked about his own weapon, Mu Yu humbly referred to it as a simple steel sword, emphasizing its ease of use.
Mu Yu also explained that psychic magic weapons chose their own masters. Chong Zi tried many weapons, even the dangerous Soul-binding Thread, but none responded to her. Back at Zizhu Peak, a disheartened Chong Zi told Luo Yinfan that no magic weapon had chosen her. Luo Yinfan reassured her, saying she would be safe by his side, so having a magic weapon wasn't essential.
However, Chong Zi insisted she wanted to be strong enough to protect him and not always hide behind him. Understanding her earnest desire, Luo Yinfan took Chong Zi to the lakeside and, with a display of his powers, summoned the Starlight Staff. Chong Zi immediately felt a connection, confirming it was her destined magic weapon. She excitedly asked why he hadn't revealed it earlier.
Luo Yinfan explained that everything, including magic weapons, was a matter of destiny, and what was meant for her would eventually return. Chong Zi, a mortal in her second life and with limited magical training, struggled to control Starlight. Luo Yinfan patiently taught her, guiding her movements hand-in-hand.
This close proximity made Chong Zi's heart race, and Luo Yinfan himself struggled to suppress his emotions, vowing to protect her for a lifetime of peace and happiness, recognizing how much he had failed her in the past. He formally bestowed Starlight upon her, naming her its master. Chong Zi, in turn, declared that she was his only disciple and Starlight's only master.
Luo Yinfan advised her that Starlight, being a defensive weapon, encouraged restraint over aggression, urging her to protect others and the Six Realms. Chong Zi solemnly vowed to remember his teachings. As they returned, Chong Zi noticed a sword hanging above the Chonghua Palace door and inquired about it. Luo Yinfan revealed it was Zhubo, once his own sword, and explained that he had committed an unforgivable mistake with it, leading him to seal it away.
Chong Zi, amazed that her unbeatable master could make a mistake, recounted his legendary deeds. Luo Yinfan responded that even the unbeatable could err. He further explained that Zhubo and Mofeng were twin swords forged in the same furnace, and he had wielded both for over a thousand years until that irreparable error, after which he abandoned Zhubo.
Meanwhile, in the distant Luohe region, the Dragon King, a former water snake who had cultivated into a demon, reappeared and wreaked havoc, causing distress among the populace. Wang Yue, informed of the situation, ordered Protector Yin Shuixian to quickly subdue the Dragon King to bolster the demon forces. He noted the Demon Palace was 1800 li from Luohe, while Nanhua Sect was 1300 li.
Shuixian, who had been living as a mortal with her husband Xue Ling for years without revealing her true identity, assured her worried husband that she needed to go to sell blooming epiphyllum and would be safe with the immortal sect members. As he remained uneasy, she cast a hypnotic spell on him while he slept before departing. The news of the Dragon King's disturbance also reached the immortal sects.
In a joint council, Qinghua Palace and Nanhua Sect deliberated a response. Min Yunzhong, observing Luo Yinfan's presence, remarked on his changed habits since taking a disciple. Zhuo Yao, the leader of Qinghua Palace, urgently sought Nanhua's assistance, noting the Dragon King's uncharacteristic aggression and suspected demon involvement. Luo Yinfan agreed to lead the mission. Min Yunzhong then suggested that Luo Yinfan bring some disciples along for training.
Luo Yinfan, noticing the exquisite cakes prepared for Zhuo Yao, had his divine beast Suanni deliver some to Chong Zi. Yan Zhenzhu, seeing Chong Zi casually enjoying these spirit-boosting delicacies, was envious, recognizing Luo Yinfan's blatant favoritism. Chong Zi, however, remained unfazed, believing her master was equally kind to everyone. Yan Zhenzhu countered, reminding her that the Protector Sage had a reputation for ruthlessness.
She then let slip that Chong Zi had a senior disciple, also named Chong Zi, who had met a tragic end. Upon hearing this, Chong Zi was stunned to learn about her namesake senior and realized that the many items in her room were not gifts for her, but rather the senior's old possessions. She wrestled with the thought of being a replacement but then reasoned that Luo Yinfan was too busy to explain or remove them.
She pressed Yan Zhenzhu for details, learning that her senior had died for violating immortal rules, personally executed by Luo Yinfan with the Zhubo sword, for colluding with demons to obstruct the purification of a demon sword. Chong Zi declared her senior's actions unforgivable and vowed never to betray Luo Yinfan, promising to be loyal and never hurt him.
She then carefully collected the senior's belongings, placing them in a jade box, and reassured Starlight that she would never abandon it. Later, Chengfeng found Yan Zhenzhu, informing her about the upcoming mission to subdue the Dragon King and the selection of disciples for training. Yan Zhenzhu excitedly told Chong Zi, who promptly volunteered. However, Min Yunzhong rejected her, citing her shallow cultivation. Sima Miaoyuan seized the opportunity to mock Chong Zi for her audacity and lack of skill.
Chong Zi, however, fiercely retorted, asserting her capabilities due to Luo Yinfan's teachings. She confidently displayed her Starlight Staff and declared that Starlight, Zizhu Peak, and even Luo Yinfan were hers alone, leaving Sima Miaoyuan speechless and prompting her to leave. Min Yunzhong, in a private conversation, warned Luo Yinfan about Qinghua Palace's subtle evasion of responsibility, implying the mission was dangerous. He cautioned Luo Yinfan about the Dragon King's strength and his thousands of small monster followers.
Luo Yinfan stated his intention to spare and guide any monster with spiritual essence away from evil, rather than simply eradicating them all. Min Yunzhong expressed disapproval, but Luo Yinfan stood firm. Min Yunzhong then reiterated that Chong Zi was too new to Nanhua and should remain on Zizhu Peak, warning Luo Yinfan not to dote on her too much, lest he "raise another evil creature."
Luo Yinfan, however, declared that his disciple would accompany him, especially since she desired to go. He emphatically repeated, "Chong Zi is not an evil creature." That night, alone in her room, Chong Zi packed away the former senior's belongings, reflecting that they held no meaning for her. Despite being forbidden, she resolved to join the mission. Meanwhile, Qin Ke addressed the disciples chosen for the mission, emphasizing the importance of concealing spiritual energy, avoiding trouble, and maintaining unity.
He and Sima Miaoyuan would lead the vanguard, with Mutong and others forming the rear. Chong Zi quietly snuck into the departing group, blending in as best she could. Chengfeng secretly gave Yan Zhenzhu some Shapeless Spells he had refined, concerned for her safety against the Dragon King. Chong Zi, curious, approached them, only to be spotted by Sima Miaoyuan, who scolded her for sneaking out.
Chong Zi claimed Luo Yinfan had granted her permission, and Yan Zhenzhu backed her up. Qin Ke intervened, confirming that Luo Yinfan had indeed privately allowed Chong Zi to join the mission. He advised Chong Zi to be serious and cautious. Later that night, as Chong Zi practiced, she received a protective talisman from Luo Yinfan, which made her feel warm and reassured of his care. She found Qin Ke sitting outside, lost in thought.
She joined him and asked about the ongoing conflicts between the Six Realms and the various demon and monster factions. Qin Ke explained that after the demon lord Ni Lun's defeat, the once-conquered Monster World had scattered. While most monster tribes had since joined the Demon World, independent factions like the Dragon King remained. He warned that the Demon World might try to use the Dragon King's current disturbance as an opportunity to subdue him.
Qin Ke complimented Chong Zi, noting she truly was the Protector Sage's disciple. Chong Zi, recalling a previous incident where she was injured using his Bahuang Sword, humbly asked to spar with him to demonstrate the new moves Luo Yinfan had taught her. Qin Ke, remarking on her distinctiveness from other disciples, readily agreed.
